1. Respond in the spirit of helpfulness and respect.

2. The best response are ones that are observational; they point directly to the writing in a specific way and observe something without making a judgment.  Share observations of what you notice in the writer’s text, but also share observations you notice of what occurs inside of you as you read the writer’s text.

3. You need not respond in the role of the teacher or fixer of their writing.  Respond as a fellow writer and as a reader.

4. Look to be constructive. Ask meaningful questions of the peer. For instance, asking a “What would you say to ______?” sort of question elicits a critical response. Avoid just being the cheerleader: “Great post. I loved it. Thank you. Good luck.”

5. Offer research and resources. Some of the best peer replies actually go out and share a link or a source from the Keiser e-Library databases with the other person.